Chapters 2-4 Study Questions

WEEK 1 RESOURCES

Required Resources

Text

Smith, T. M., & Smith, R. L. (2015). Elements of Ecology (9th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Chapter 1: The Nature of Ecology pp 1-11
Chapter 2: Climate pp 16-33
Chapter 3: The Aquatic Environment pp 35- 50
Chapter 4: The Terrestrial Environment pp 52-66

Multimedia

Cross, P. (2013, September 30). How to measure leaf area (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIrY-egQSS8

This tutorial demonstrates how leaf area index can be measured using Image J.
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Dyas, M. (Writer & Director). (2014). Ocean land connection (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Series segment]. In J. Lipworth (Executive producer), Forests. Retrieved from https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?token=93433&wID=100753&loid=370179&plt=FOD&w=560&h=315&fWidth=580&fHeight=365

This two-minute video highlights ecological research that explains the complex relationship between the forest, the ocean, and animals that facilitate important parts of the nutrient cycle. The video will provide perspective to the week one assigned readings and aid you in completing the week one assignment. The full version of this video is available through the Films on Demand database in the Ashford University Library. This video has closed captioning.
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Jarou, Z. (2009 April 15). Measuring leaf area with adobe photoshop (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3O-V6WLw0g

This tutorial teaches users how to measure leaf area index using common software. The video will aid you in completing the week one discussion. This video has closed captioning.
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LICORBiosciences. (2015, October 5). Measuring leaf area index (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Video File]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0KOc_tgjT8

This short video explains how to measure leaf area index using the gap fraction method, and discusses the underlying assumptions in the measurement. The video will aid you in completing the week one discussion.
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Schoolingin-Jordan, N. (Director & Producer). (2012). Grasses: Land grab (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Series segment]. In M. Hedgecoe (Executive producer), The challenger: How to grow a planet. Retrieved from https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?token=52497&wID=100753&loid=193992&plt=FOD&w=560&h=315&fWidth=580&fHeight=365

The rise in grasslands created a new physical environment and selective pressure for many species. Grasslands began to spread, providing opportunities for land predators, and forests began to diminish. The video rounds out the week one assigned reading by providing an analysis of the rise in grasslands and its relationship to changes in species. The full version of this video is available through the Films on Demand database in the Ashford University Library. This video has closed captioning.
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Schoolingin-Jordan, N. (Director & Producer). (2012). Mountains, minerals, and limestone (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.[Series segment]. In M. Hedgecoe (Executive producer), The challenger: How to grow a planet. Retrieved from https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?token=52497&wID=100753&loid=193989&plt=FOD&w=560&h=315&fWidth=580&fHeight=365

The video discusses the physical and biological processes that occurred after dinosaurs became extinct. The content shows how the physical environment changes and what is its impact on species and grasslands. The full version of this video is available through the Films on Demand database in the Ashford University Library. This video has closed captioning.
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Recommended Resources

Multimedia

Decagon Devices, Inc. (2015, February 17). Canopy 101: Leaf area index - Theory, measurement, and application (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GurnDQ8m1Zk

Different methods and instruments for measuring LAI are presented. The presentation includes the theory behind each approach as well as the advantages and limitations of the different methods. The video provides a deeper analysis of LAI and can aid you in completing the week one discussion. This video has closed captioning.
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Duthy, S. (Director). (2014). Burgess Shale (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. [Series segment]. In G. Sanderson (Executive producer), Weird wonders: Fossil wonderlands—Nature’s hidden treasures. Retrieved from https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?token=60457&wID=100753&loid=283488&plt=FOD&w=560&h=315&fWidth=580&fHeight=365

This three-minute segment showcases some unique species from the Burgess Shale that challenge evolutionary theory. The video can aid you with a deeper understanding of the week one readings related to the evolution of life on earth. The full version of this video is available through the Films on Demand database in the Ashford University Library. This video has closed captioning.
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The Science of Measuring Ecosystems: NEON Education. (2014, October 22). How we measure photosynthesis (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlEzyZadA90

This video demonstrates how photosynthesis can be measured using an infrared gas analyzer. This method is widely used by ecologists and environmental scientists to measure carbon dioxide of forests and landscapes. Measuring the photosynthetic capability of forests can also provide understanding of forest productivity and any changes related to climate change. The video can aid you in delving deeper into the week one discussion content. This video has closed captioning.
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